Even now, 2 weeks after the event which yet again surpasses all previous power kite, buggy and board events since the beginning of time on sheer numbers I’ve still got my wrist bands on, a flo orange one to show I’m insured, and a flo green one to show I was allowed to camp.
The gates opened at 7pm until 11pm on Friday night this year and yet again there was a queue at 7pm, everyone hoping to get in and get pitched, and maybe even be the first to fly a kite at this years Flexi Wallop event. The camping area soon filled up and marshals were making sure no-one had their cars trapped in amoungst them. by 8.30pm the tents reached up to the treeline marking the far end of the camping area, but there was still plenty of space in amoungst others to pitch up. Groups were formed easily and the walk to get to the car wasn’t that far even in the cold early mornings when you realised the cooking gas was still in the boot.
Overnight the tent was shaking and flapping a bit with the wind and by the morning it was still there, blowing a slightly gusty 20mph which soon picked up and gusts of 35mph+ were recorded during the day at various times. Luckily the wind died a bit and more and more kites were set up and flown in the afternoon. Crowds gathered about 1pm until 5 to watch the extreme spectacle which was some of the countrys top riders: Alex Brown, Lewis Wilby, Steve Livesy and yeah ok, maybe Woody too pulling off some nice smooth jumps off of the kickers, and also some long slides up a massive yellow rail. They caught the cameras and camcorders attention throughout the afternoon and there were at least 35 people upwind for them to show off their moves to during the bright and windy day. (Check out the video on the Videos page)
That evening the beer tent was full, some music being played and a crazy game involving half the tent standing on their chairs went on to the orchestration of Mell in his orange bikini :O.
The wind had dropped and Sunday morning was windless. Seeing all the windsocks, flags, banners and other assorted wind things not moving which had been blowing wildly only the night before was not a very inspirational sight. Clouds rolled over and made the morning pretty cold, but as the day went on and contrary to forcasted the sky cleared and blue sky was seen once again. The wind however stayed low, occasionally a temporary increase would see a few more kites trying to get into the air, and I’m sure those that had managed to get somewhere across the field must’ve been kicking themselves when they had to walk back again.
Sunday night in the beer tent was a showcase of everyones kiting movies and films from around the uk and even abroad. A large projector screen was set up hanging in the middle of the tent and the videos were beamed onto it from one side. It was visible from the other side, but those people who didnt realise and get in quick, suffered from having to read any writing on the clips in reverse. The tent was mobbed however, seats everywhere and people laughing and whistling to the onscreen antics.
Monday morning was a good end to the day for most who had longer distances to travel to get home. The sky was blue, the grass was empty (at 8 when I was on there anyway 
) and the wind was smooth and blowing over the campsite. The rail and kickers were still out so those daring enough could still grab a go which many did, often failing but sometimes with a reasonable amount of success. The kites went up and were still flying strong throughout the afternoon.
5pm arrived and everyone was off home. This years wallop going, as ever, too fast for most. Being optomistic about its happening, heres hoping FW2 is just as good if not better.
Some highlights from the weekend had to be Mell offering people bites to people from items hidden by his bikini top :O. The extremely long lines put on a Blade3 8.5m and Blade2 9m, who were up and down, using up the whole field on a windless Sunday evening, competing as to who could get the kite the highest. Diaboloing and juggling was also a sight to watch, its amazing how many common interests we power kiters have.
I guess that the fact I still have my wrist bands on could mean 2 things: a) I’m completely insane and stupid, or maybe that it was such a good event that I want to be reminded of it for as long as possible…
A Massive thanks to everyone who was involved in the organisation and running of the event:
Ian Meredith (Mell)
Flexifoil and Mike Shaw
The bar staff
The traders
The one who brought the water tank
The people who kept their litter and those who picked it up.